Game 5 - No More Monkeys

For the first time in his NBA career, Kobe Bryant has led a team to the championship. It was his fourth title overall. The Los Angeles Lakers captured the franchise's 15th trophy and Phil Jackson won a record tenth title as a Head Coach.

The Orando Magic got off to a quick start. But their lead was cut to two by the end of the first quarter. A large second quarter run by L.A. effectively ended the competitive phase of Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals. Each Magic starter scored in double figures. Each took around as many field goals as points scored- never a good sign.

But the story of the night and the season was the play of the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant had 30 points and won his first Finals MVP. Lamar Odom scored 17 and boarded 10 shots. Pau Gasol put in 14 and grabbed 15 misses while blocking 4 attempts. Trevor Ariza and Derek Fisher, who won his fourth title, are the glue that holds the Lakers' stars together. Both continued to play effectively. Two key reserves from last season, Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic, saw limited action throughout the Finals, an indication of the Lakers improved depth this season.

Kobe Bryant was the best player in the NBA last season. He was even better in this one. His determination was evident, displayed on his continuously curled lips and cringed face. And while many may downplay the impact of this championship on his legacy, I believe it cannot be understated. This validates him as an all time great and I don't come by those words easily.

Final thought: The NBA is in transition at the moment. The star players who entered the league in the mid 1990s are slowly aging and they are gradually passing from the stage. Bryant, Duncan, Garnett, Kidd, Iverson, Nowitzki, Nash, and Shaq are reaching and, perhaps for a few them, passing their prime. That leaves the door open for a new generation, one that has been entering the league since 2003 and is younger than their NBA experience indicates. Whether that leaves a vacuum of greatness or an era of young true champions, we'll just have to wait and watch.

2009 NBA Finals
MVP - LAL Kobe Bryant
Unsung Hero Award - LAL Derek Fisher
Gutcheck Award - LAL Kobe Bryant

2008-2009 All NBA H-duk Team
C Dwight Howard Orl (2nd)
F Dirk Nowitzki Dal (3rd)
F LeBron James Cle (4th) * MVP
G Kobe Bryant LAL (4th)
G Chauncey Billups Den (1st)